The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-05


names of Alex. Haugh and Thomas Black for
appointment to positions in the department, to
fill vacancies caused by the designations of
Joseph l.. Casper and F. L. Daugherty. Report
concurred in. The rental committee showed
that So. I65 had been received for rent Of Tom
linson Hall to date Received.
The committee on finance submitted state
ment to the effect that during the past year the
city's expenses did not exceed the receipts. The
tax collection was made last year duplicate
of $50. 600. 900, which amount was cut down at
the last assessment TO $40, 700, 900, making the
amount of taxes less this year than last by S43-
200. The estimate of expenses for the year is
1918, 365, which is about $4,000 less than the
estimated receipts. The committee recommend
ed that the vapor light, which at first was to
cost but few hundred dollars, but has increased
to Sd, 42S annually, should have veto put upon
1t. The report was received. --e--e
The usual monthly appropriation ordinances
were passed, and a number of improvement or
dnances introduced. resolution that the Cit
liens Street-raiway Company construct and
operate line of street-cars on ard along Della
ware street and Madison avenue. from McCarty
street to Lincoln lane was referred to a COM
mittee.
The city civil engineer submitted the CORE
spondence that had recently taken place between
V. L. Malott, of the Union Railway Company,
and himself. in regard to the tunnel. The last
letter from Mr.. Malott is dated April T. 1887, and
concludes as follows:
Il do not understand you to complain that
the Union Railway Company is chargeable with
any delay in the approval of the plans and specl-
fcations for the tunnel, but to prevent any mis-
apprehension this subject think it is we'll
here to refer to certain matters which intervene
to postpone final action upon the tunnel plans
and specifications by the railway company's
engineer The most important of these
matters, as you are aware. was the
difference of opinion between some Of the city
officers and the officials of the Union Railway
Company upon the legal question rs to who,
under the ordinance, should let the contract for
the improvement of the tunnel Mr.. Doran,
In accordance with the Union Railway Com
pany's position upon the question as to who
should let the contract for the tunnel,
objected to all statements and implications in
the specifications which assumed that the com
pany was to let said work with the responsible
ties incident thereto The Union Railway
Company's position upon that subject ard the
reasons therefor are fully sta.edin my letter OF
the 18th ult. to W. u. Taylor, the city attorney,
and need not repeat them here. l would say
this now, that inasmuch the Union Railway
Company has complied with the conditions of
Ordinances 81 and so of 1856 by deposting $780, 600
with the city treasurer, and IS not liable for
any further sum that may be expended in i'm
proving the tunnel if the tunnel is so construct
ed as to pass our trains safely, and If the work
shall be done as soon as practicable any plans
and specifications for the work that may be sat-
isfactory to the city will be perfectly to US,
| provided they contain no terms or Implications
| that will make this improvement the work of
| the Union Railway Company"
The reading of the correspondence, especially
| this letter. created display of temper the
| part of number of counciimen. Mr. Pearson
| said the Council and Board had been very liberal
| with the company in giving it everything it had
asked. This was the company's matter entirely
and it had collected the money to build the
tunnel. and it, and not the city, should advertise
for bids. Mr.. Cummings said lie would never
vote for the city to let that contract have any
| thing to do with it. Mr.. Haugh remarked that
| the object of the company, evidently. was to
| saddle the city with any suit for damages that
| might follow an accident. Mr.. Benjamin thought
! there was occasion for any fuss. The ordi-
nance would hold the city harmless in every
thing.
| Mr.. Thalmans motion to refer the matter to
| the city attorney for written legal opinion was
| lost; ayes-Benjam Burns Dell. Dunn Mack,
| Marley, Reynolds, Swain, Thalman--9 nays
Cummings, Haugh. Edenharter McCleland, Me-
| Groarty, Newland, Pearson, Reinecke, Stuck
meyer. Waterman-10.
| Mr. Pearson moved that it was the sense of
! Cornell that the Union Railway Company a6-
vertise for bids for the tunnel contract Car
| ried Adjourned.